40 Days of Prayer
Welcome to the Lenten season! Lent has been observed since the 4th century and continues today as a spiritually transformative journey for many. As you enter this meaningful season, it’s important to understand its significance. Below are answers to common questions to help you make the most of your Lenten experience.
Lent is modeled after Jesus’ 40-day fast. Following His baptism, Jesus retreated to the Judean desert to fast and pray. During this time, He faced temptation from Satan while preparing for His public ministry.
According to John 12, Jesus’ death and resurrection occurred around the time of the Jewish Passover. Passover commemorates the final plague in Egypt before the Israelites' liberation from slavery—the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household. The Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with lamb’s blood so the angel of death would pass over their homes, sparing their eldest sons. Passover is observed on the first full moon after the vernal equinox (when the sun is directly above the equator). Because of this, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are always celebrated after the first full moon following the equinox, making Lent’s dates shift yearly. Lent ends on the Saturday after Good Friday and technically lasts more than 40 days since Sundays are excluded from the count. Each Sunday is considered a “mini-Easter,” celebrating Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Accordingly, our devotional will be provided six days a week, with Sundays (or Saturday nights) dedicated to celebration and worship at your campus.
Lent is an opportunity to open your heart to God’s ways and grow closer to Jesus. It is a time for honest self-reflection in light of God’s Word, allowing you to make meaningful changes in your spiritual journey.
Start by setting aside time each day for 46 days to reflect on your life and grow spiritually. Community Christian provides a 40-day devotional (Monday through Saturday) and weekly church services to support you during this season.
Each day’s devotional takes about 5 minutes and includes:
- A short scripture reading
- A prayer
Find a consistent time to read the devotional—perhaps during breakfast, first thing in the morning, while the kids nap, or before bed. Choose a setting that allows for quiet reflection.
Fasting is a common Lenten practice that involves giving up something from your routine to focus more on God and hear His voice clearly. Some people choose to abstain from TV, video games, social media, alcohol, sweets, meat, coffee, or even one meal a day. The decision is personal, but if fasting food, consult a healthcare professional if you have medical concerns.
Start Preparing for Your Lent
- Commit to reading the Lenten devotional for 40 days.
- Attend church on the six Sundays of Lent or join us on YouTube
- If you miss a day, don’t worry—just continue the next day.
- Schedule your daily devotional time on your calendar as a reminder.
- Choose one thing to fast—something safe and achievable for you.
Begin this journey today by praying Psalm 139:23-24:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”